Jussie Smollett Always Cool w/ Lee Daniels ... Prefer to Handle Relationship Privately

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Back To Work
TMZ.com

Jussie Smollett's always cool with Lee Daniels ... saying he appreciates the director giving him his big break -- and, he'd rather keep their relationship private.

We caught up with the embattled actor in New York City Friday outside a movie theater on the same day "The Lost Holliday" -- a project JS directed -- received it's wide release ... and, we had to ask about Daniels' recent comments about him.

Jussie says he's got a lot of love for LD ... admitting he appreciates the opportunity Lee gave him -- his starring role on "Empire" -- and, he doesn't like to talk about their relationship publicly 'cause it's so special to him.

Donald Trump Check Out His Little Commander-in-Chief ... 43-Foot-Tall Naked Statue

The 2024 presidential election just gets weirder and weirder ... 'cause a statue of Donald Trump is towering over Las Vegas -- depicting the former prez in his birthday suit.

The art piece depicting the former POTUS was erected -- no pun intended -- just outside Las Vegas ... towering over Interstate 15 on the way to Utah. We've had to blur the pics a bit here, but you get the basic idea -- the prez wears no clothes.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us the statue stands 43-feet-tall and bears the name "Crooked and Obscene" ... a reference, we're told, to the controversial nature of both the man and the statue itself.

Goldie Hawn Charity Gala Martin Short and Kate Hudson Serenade Party ... Kurt and Goldie Cut a Rug!!!

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PUTTIN' ON A SHOW
TMZ.com

Attendees at Goldie Hawn's charity gala got front-row seats to a once-in-a-lifetime performance ... watching on as comedian Martin Short and Kate Hudson performed a duet.

MindUP -- Goldie's charity focused on supporting kids' mental health and preventing suicide -- held it's 20th-anniversary gala Saturday night called "Goldie's Love In" where Short and Hudson showed off their pipes for the audience.

After a few jokes about Kate's leggy ensemble, Martin starts up the band ... jumping around like a giddy schoolboy before belting out the opening notes of Frank Sinatra's "The Lady is a Tramp."

Jacob Elordi Carefree Italian Vacay w/ Olivia Jade ... Amid 'Wuthering Heights' Controversy

Jacob Elordi's letting his cares melt away under the warm Italian sun ... flaunting his six-pack alongside girlfriend Olivia Jade Giannulli -- all while some back in the U.S.A. are blasting his recent casting in "Wuthering Heights."

The actor and his GF hit the Italian coast with her family ... and, clearly he enjoyed the refreshing blue water in the Mediterranean -- launching himself off the boat and into the surf repeatedly.

He's dripping wet in most of these pics ... flaunting his six-pack in just a pair of navy blue shorts while his better half seemed to mainly stick to the shore and the ship.

Track Star Shelby Daniele Dead at 23 ... Months After Getting Master's Degree

Shelby Daniele -- a college track star who broke records at California Polytechnic State University -- has passed away according to a statement from the university.

The university's athletic department released a statement via Instagram Friday ... saying they were profoundly sad to hear about the former athlete's passing who they say had a remarkable heart. Cal Poly did not reveal a cause of death.

Daniele -- who received both a bachelor's and a master's degree at the school -- served as Cal Poly's team captain and was a six-time All-Big West honoree and a two-time Big West champion.

Maggie Smith Gone, But Not Forgotten ... 'Harry Potter' Fans Tribute Late Legend

Maggie Smith may be gone, but she'll live on forever in the Wizarding World ... 'cause "Harry Potter" fans have been tributing her ever since her death was announced yesterday.

The legendary actress -- who played Professor McGonagall is seven of the eight films -- inspired several "Harry Potter" related tributes with one of the largest taking place outside Hogwarts ... the replica at Universal Orlando, that is.

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FOR PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL
X / @anniesupdate

Check out the clip ... a group of fans congregated outside the castle -- which houses a popular ride in the theme park -- wands raised to the sky. It's an homage to the sixth 'HP' movie after Professor Dumbledore dies to ward off the darkness ... led by Maggie, of course.

Carolina Panthers Owner David Tepper & Wife Nicole Donate ... $3 Million to Hurricane Relief!!!

David Tepper's using his sports teams to help people rebuild their lives ... committing $3 million alongside his wife Nicole, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The investment adviser and his better half made the donation through the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation ... saying they were partnering with the two fanchises to support relief efforts across the Carolinas.

The funds will go to both short-term and long-term goals, according to a press release ... essential since the region remains in a State of Emergency. Some of the money will go to food banks and pantries, local community foundations and other service providing agencies.

Johnny Depp Bringing Back the Captain For Kids ... Dresses Up As Jack Sparrow, Visits Hospital

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BACK AS JACK
Gina Deuters

Captain Jack Sparrow's back ... not in "Pirates of the Caribbean 6" necessarily -- but, Johnny Depp's resurrected the character to cheer up some kids going through a rough time.

The actor stopped by a children's hospital in San Sebastián, Spain ... dressed as his loveable pirate Captain Jack -- complete with the eyeliner, dreads and his slightly drunken walk.

Check out the video ... JD's got a cheerful hello for the doctors working hard at the locale -- appearing to drop the character later on to have a meaningful convo with some of the medical staff on-site.

UFC Fighter Ailin Pérez Makin' It Clap After Big Win ... Twerks in Opponent's Face!!!

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TAP THEN TWERK
ESPN+

Ailin Pérez may not have gotten her opponent in a rear naked choke during her UFC fight Saturday ... but, she certainly got her own rear working -- twerking in her opponent's face after winning by submission.

The bantamweight fighter hopped in the Octagon at UFC Paris against Daria Zhelezniakova ... and, she quickly dominated her opponent -- getting DZ to tap out in the first round.

Perez jumped to her feet ... and, ya gotta watch as she swished her booty back and forth right in front of her red-faced opponent, still gasping for breath.

U.S. Coast Guard We Got That Rescue Dog In Us ... Saves Man & Pup From Hurricane Helene

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GOLDEN RETRIEVAL
USCG

Hurricane Helene has devastated the southeastern United States ... and, the U.S. Coast Guard's rescue team is working overtime -- saving both people and pups.

Video is circulating online of a dramatic rescue from Thursday, off the coast of Sanibel Island in Florida... where Helene had disabled a sailboat carrying a man and his dog.

Check out the clip ... members of the Coast Guard are dropped into the water via a rope, swimming over to the disabled ship where man and man's best friend -- both wearing rescue vests -- jump into the water to meet them.

Kristin Cavallari Calls It Quits With Mark Estes ... After 7 Months

Kristin Cavallari and Mark Estes are dunzo after 7 months of dating, TMZ has confirmed.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Kristin broke up with Mark this week because their relationship had run its course and was never intended to be forever.

On Friday, Kristin briefly mentioned the split to podcaster Alex Cooper while they chatted onstage during one of Cooper's "Unwell Tour" stops in Austin, Texas.

TikTok Star OnlyJayus Restraining Order From Ex Dismissed Result of Court No-Show

A restraining order requested against TikTok star OnlyJayus has been dissolved ... and it's the result of her ex not showing up for the court hearing, TMZ has learned.

We broke the news that Brittany Lee Dejardo was seeking court-ordered protection against Isabella Avila, AKA OnlyJayus ... claiming her ex kept coming around her home, was verbally abusive, and allegedly used her massive social media accounts to berate her.

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Brittany beelined it to court earlier this month and asked a judge for a temporary restraining order ... but that was dismissed Thursday.

SpaceX We're On Our Way!!! Rocket Successfully Liftoffs to Retrieve Stranded Astronauts

Update

9:44 AM PT -- SpaceX's Dragon is up and away ... having just detached from the rocket. Crew-9 is expected to reach the International Space Station tomorrow -- and, should return with Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams early next year. Good luck!

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HERE WE COME!!!
SpaceX

A SpaceX mission is set to blast off Saturday with a crucial mission ... to help retrieve 2 American astronauts stranded for months on the International Space Station ... but it's still going to be a while before they're back on Earth.

The launch of SpaceX’s Dragon -- piloted by NASA's Crew-9 is scheduled for 1:17 PM ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida ... but weather delays might be a snag given the deadly Hurricane Helene just battered a portion of the state.

OnlyFans Model Stop Acting Like a Tool In Our Biz!!! Hardware Shop Issues Ban Over Sexual Videos

An OnlyFans model in Australia couldn't help but get a little naughty in a hardware store ... and now she's banned.

Here's the blueprint ... Cynthia Lin took her seemingly doe-eyed performances into Bunnings -- a chain Down Under --  and filmed a series of sexually charged videos with random customers.

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Seeking a “single tradie” ... CL would wander around until she found a man by himself ... and then hit on him with sexual innuendos before asking to exchange numbers.

Lana Del Rey Thrifted Wedding Dress Months Earlier ... When You Know, You Know!!!

Lana Del Rey jumped right into wedded bliss with her alligator tour guide love, Jeremy Dufrene, in Louisiana -- and we've learned she scored her wedding dress at a local boutique months before the big day.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Lana shunned big-name designers ... instead, thrifting her dress at Vintage Market by Trashy Diva in New Orleans back in May.

We're told it's unclear whether Lana strolled into the store specifically hunting for a wedding dress, but after trying on a bunch of other stuff, she ended up falling for the dress she spotted in the window.

Diddy Won't Plea Bargain Case Fighting Against Government Persecution

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FIGHTING THE CHARGES
TMZ Studios

Diddy will fight his legal case to the bitter end ... because his lawyer says a plea deal won't fly with his client.

Diddy's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, appears in TMZ Studios' new documentary -- "The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment" -- available to stream now on Tubi ... and, he says his client will fight this case not just for himself, but for others in a similar position.

Agnifilo says Diddy says he's innocent ... so, he sees no reason to take a plea deal -- even if prosecutors offer it.